Istana

91 Cavenagh Road Singapore 229629

Built by a colonial engineer and architect Major John Frederick Adolphus McNair after the land was purchased from the Mount Sophia nutmeg plantation, the stunning neo-Palladian Istana (Malay for ‘palace’) is the official residence and office of the President of Singapore as well as the offices of the Prime Minister.

For visitors to Singapore, it’s well worth noting that the Istana is only open for five days every year so you have to plan ahead.

Admission is free to the Istana for Singaporeans and PR but there’s a nominal entrance fee for all other visitors.

Once inside, there’s a lot to see and do, including a 45-minute guided tour of the main house and the stunning gardens and a Changing of the Guards ceremony that takes place on the first Sunday of every month.

If you do manage to visit the Istana, don’t forget to see the Istana Villa, the Lodge, the Marsh Garden and the Japanese Gun that was presented to Lord Mountbatten after the Japanese surrendered in 1945.

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